We sat frustrated as the Winter Meetings produced many rumors but no transactions for two days. On day three, while Omar Minaya still held tight to his quartet of trade market royalty, another foursome drew some attention. Arizona, Oakland, Toronto, and Cincinnati completed a four-way deal with the Diamondbacks sending 1B-L Erubiel Durazo to Oakland, the A's forwarding a player to be named later to Toronto, the Blue Jays packing SS-S Felipe Lopez off to the Reds, and Cincinnati transporting RHP Elmer Dessens to Arizona.

Oakland has pursued Erubiel Durazo over the last few off-seasons, as he fits well with their organizational philosophy. The 28-year-old has shown solid plate discipline throughout his career, and while his power output has been limited to date due to injuries, he has considerable power potential. Durazo's injury history is his primary negative, as he's spent time on the DL in every year after his 1999 rookie season.

The Diamondbacks were previously unwilling to part with Durazo, as they knew he possessed considerable potential. However even when he was healthy, they limited his playing time by failing to find a position for him to play. They felt his fielding skills only allowed him to play first base, and when they finally decided to attempt to use him in the outfield, he experienced arm problems from the throwing involved, so they aborted the experiment. Nevertheless, the Diamondbacks displeasure when he refused to stand in the outfield during the playoffs was deserved. Between the playoff problem and first base prospect Lyle Overbay's impending ascent to the majors, Durazo's departure from Arizona was sealed at the end of the season.

In Oakland, Durazo's lack of defensive talent won't be a problem, as he'll DH for the majority of his playing time with an occasional game at first base. He makes a very nice addition to their lineup and should play full time in 2003.

Due to roster restrictions before the Rule 5 draft, Oakland couldn't announce the minor league player traded on Sunday, but we now have confirmation that RHP Jason Arnold will join the Blue Jays. We discussed Arnold in July when he came to Oakland with Ted Lilly and John-Ford Griffin via the Athletics' three-way trade with the Yankees and Tigers.

In his ten starts after joining AA Midland Rockhounds, who play in one of the best hitters' parks in the hitter-friendly Texas League, Arnold compiled a 53:24 K:BB with 42 H and 2 HR allowed in 58 IP for a 2.33 ERA. While the Blue Jays offense has been well fed by prospects from their minor league system, their starting pitching has suffered and improving their rotation was a top priority for GM J.P. Ricciardi this off-season. Although Arnold will likely receive an invitation to Toronto's major league Spring Training, unless he bowls over the competition, the 23-year-old will likely head to AAA for a few months before ascending to the majors, because the Blue Jays won't want to damage their new acquisition by short-changing his development. However, he figures to play an important role on their pitching staff in 2003 and beyond.

Acquiring Arnold cost Toronto, switch-hitting shortstop prospect Felipe Lopez, who they selected with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 1998 draft. We discussed Lopez this past season, as the Blue Jays rushed him to the majors in the spring and then lost interest in him when he struggled. Upon returning to AAA, he demonstrated the strongest plate discipline of his career. However, at least until some of the prospects lower in their system mature, Toronto appears set to settle for Chris Woodward, who has a much lower ceiling despite his recent success.

Cincinnati views Lopez as Barry Larkin's eventual replacement, but in this final year of Larkin's contract the Reds will probably use Lopez to fill the opening left by Todd Walker at second. The Reds feel Lopez will bring additional speed to the team, though only this past season at AAA has he managed a desirable SB%. I'm much more intrigued by the moderate power potential he's shown. At 22, Lopez still has a lot of room to grow and I doubt he'll take the league by storm in 2003, however he should develop into a player the Blue Jays are sorry they sent away and the Reds are happy to possess.

Finally, we've come full circle and returned to the Diamondbacks, who received Elmer Dessens from the Reds as compensation for Durazo. Oakland could not offer the Diamondbacks the starting pitcher they wanted in exchange for Durazo. As a result, Beane went looking for additional teams to make the trade work. Elmer was the adhesive he required to complete the deal. Despite the undistinguished nature of their remaining rotation, Cincinnati was fully able to spare the starter, especially for such a promising return.

The 30-year-old put together a very solid season last year. He struggles with the long-ball and isn't particularly dominant, but Dessens is the third starter Arizona wanted to fit behind Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. This acquisition should allow them to comfortably fill out the rotation with Miguel Batista and John Patterson.

Reviewing the deal as a whole, I believe the Reds likely won the trade in the long term. Oakland came in second and will likely be most happy with their return now. Toronto finished third, as though Arnold should be very effective for them they gave up a valuable commodity to acquire him. I feel the Diamondbacks found the short end of the stick in this trade having received the least valuable player when their player was the impetus of the deal.